GOP presidential long-shot Rick Santorum on Friday told attendees at the Values Voter Summit that a vibrant economy is dependent on traditional marriage, and that President Obama has ordered military chaplains to “break the law” by requiring them to perform same-sex weddings.

“You want to have a successful economy? The single thing you can do is to nurture and support the institution of marriage … and than means standing up and defending the institution of marriage as between one man and one woman…”

Santorum promised to “fight in every state to make sure that marriage remains between one man and one woman.”

“So not only did the President not defend the law, he has now instructed people in the military to break the law,” Santorum said.

Watch:

In fact, the Defense Department memorandum issued last week, only gave military chaplains permission to perform unions where permitted by state and local law, and specifically stated they were “not required” to do so.

“A military chaplain may participate in or officiate any private ceremony, whether on or off a military installation, provided that the ceremony is not prohibited by applicable state and local law. Further, a chaplain is not required to participate in or officiate a private ceremony if doing so would be in variance with the tenets of his or her religion or personal beliefs.”